Can you name this rock?

Send us your guess. Or, come and find out at the new exhibit Stones from the Sky, 45 aerial photographic prints of canyons, granite peaks, and land sculpted by glaciers, captured from a small airplane by photographer-geologist by Michael Collier.

Meet the "Working Girl"

In the video below, you'll meet one of the “working doves” at Julia's bordello and hear her tell about her line of work on the 1880s frontier. She and other "sinners" from the frontier are waiting for you at the Sin in the Sagebrush exhibit. From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day, you'll encounter a miner, or gambler, or saloonkeeper or other “working women” at Julia's.

Discover how early settlers of the High Desert dealt with the universal need for community and connection on the harsh, lonely frontier.

As one dove tells it, she says, “I am proud that I am the top earner at Julia's, although I do split all of my earnings with the madam, but she is good to me. I work at maintaining my beauty to keep up my earnings. I take Dr. Rose’s Arsenic wafers to keep my eyes bright and my skin pale.”

“Now, this job ain’t so bad with a sippin’ whiskey in my hand and a pretty dress on. I dream of working in a parlor house, one with mirrors, velvet curtains and a large piano. Then I’d only have to entertain men of a certain quality.”

So come and meet these folks. Ask how they fell into their professions, and you’ll discover the human stories behind the stereotypes.

Meet William, the Professional Gambler

Every day, you can meet a range of people from the frontier – live – in the Sin in the Sagebrush exhibit. Chat with them about why they came to the Western frontier and what brought them to this saloon, gambling hall or bordello.

For example, in the exhibit's re-created gambling hall, you'll meet William, the professional gambler, who's dealing three-card monte, faro, and other games of the late 19th century.

"I'm disdainful of fools, but if you are the desperate sort, because of uncontrollable circumstances, I’ll have compassion toward you – unlike those in dire straits because of their choices,” he says.

“Gambling is much more personal here out west. Unlike some gaming emporiums in a few big cities, there is no ‘betting against the house.’ Most of us small-town gamblers rent table space in a saloon or gaming house. Play twenty-one, faro, or three-card monte with me, and you’re competing directly with me – the dealer – my money’s on the line,” he says.

Come on in and discover more about what it was like to live on the High Desert frontier by meeting William and others from the exhibit's frontier saloon and bordello.

Experience frontier saloons, gambling halls, and bordellos of the Old West

Sin in the Sagebrush is our newest exhibit, examining the lives of those who sought opportunity, fortune and community on the Western frontier.

 

You can step up to an 1880s roulette table, game of faro, chuck-a-luck or poker, and take in the cheating devices and refined attire of a professional gambler, as well as the bowie knife and derringer he might use when challenged.

 

The exhibit also features live, authentic portrayals of those who worked at these establishments, including the “sporting men” running the games (they’ll invite you to play – and even reveal how to cheat). Ask the

saloonkeeper, and “working women” of the night how they fell into their professions, and discover the human stories behind the stereotypes.

 

Become immersed in the atmosphere of the re-created Stockman Saloon, with its oak and mahogany bar, polished nickel cash register and cut-glass bar bottles. Illustrations of prize fighters, racehorses, the local militia, ladies, and a gilt-framed oil of a nude adorn the walls. Piano tunes, gleaming kerosene lamps, and the aroma of whiskey and cigars evoke the exuberant good times and comforts which Western saloons offered to cold, weary patrons.

 

Curator of Western History Bob Boyd says, “You can imagine how the nameless men of the frontier found refuge from toil, loneliness, boredom and unfulfilled ambitions, and how they fulfilled their needs and desires. It is a humanities theme as much as an historical account.”

 

Come discover Sin in the Sagebrush, the way the west had fun.

 

Presented by Schwabe Williamson and Wyatt, and sponsored by BendTel, Chubb, Deschutes Brewery, Horizon Broadcasting and Pepsi of Bend, with additional support from Oregon Heritage Commission, Oregon Community Foundation, Oregon Cultural Trust, The Bend Foundation, James F. and Marion L. Miller Foundation, Pacific Power Foundation and Deschutes Cultural Coalition.

We're on the Map!

From Travel Oregon's website:
The National Geographic Society has collaborated with community members of the Central Cascades – from Mt. Rainier to Crater Lake National Park -- to illuminate the places and experiences that residents think are special.

We're proud to be included as one of the highlights of the Central Oregon region:
http://thecentralcascades.com/high-desert-museum/

You can download the map or find out more here.